A DOSE OF BRUTALITY
By Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu
The people of Ohanze, Amaise, Umuokerereke Ngwa, Umuiroma and Ntighauzo communities all in Obingwa Local Government Area, Abia State tested a full dose of brutality in the hands of a combined team of soldiers, policemen and Abia Vigilante service who raided the communities in an alleged search for the hide out of kidnappers.
In the raid, innocent citizens were brutality manhandled, harassed and assaulted. According to eyewitness accounts, the security agencies numbering over 100 engaged in the commando-like operation in over 10 vehicles.
The men who raided the homes of innocent citizens destroyed doors louvers and windows. Some victims who spoke to this publication on conditions of anonymity also alleged that their personal effects in the forms of cash and materials were looted.
According to one of the victims, his electric iron and television antenna are missing. Also there are several cases of physical assault where military boots, machete lashes, physical blows were freely used. Passers by who had the motorcycles and bicycles tyres deflated with punches from bayonets have their own stories of woes to tell.
According to a lady victim, the pains on her buttocks are severe as an unidentified object was freely used on them.
This incident tells in detail the uncultured and indecent conducts of security agents in Nigeria. In the recent past security agents in the same manner raided Abala Community in the same Obingwa Local Government Area and sacked about 10 villages. Over 10 buildings were razed in the assault including those of a serving Asistant-Comissioner of police (ACP), a Permanent Secretary amongst others.
The question that always agitates the minds of analyst is: how can innocent citizens bear the punishment of the iniquities of evil men? Another is: do the physical molestations and harassment of innocent citizens justify the posturing of the police in Abia that they are combating crime headlong?
According to Barrister C. I. Emelogu, such undemocratic and uncivilized tendencies among policemen are too awkward to be found in the present-day Nigeria or any other security agency. The legal luminary further posited that for the fact that some disgruntled elements may be found in a community should not expose the whole community members to indiscriminate and arbitrary police brutality.
No well meaning would not support the police in their combat against crime because the crime level, especially in Abia State is very alarming, but it would be more appreciable if it were done in a democratic and decent manner.
It is also unfortunate that this incident is taking place in the period when Nigeria’s image in the protection of the human rights of her citizens, especially among the security agencies is nothing to write home about.
The inspector General of police, Mr. Mike Okiro and the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu are you listening to this?
